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Saturday, February 23, 2013

Oceans Of Slumber Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Certainly. We are Oceans of Slumber from Houston, Texas and we play a very diverse style of progressive metal. We incorporate each and every style of music we see fit to create music that is engaging and interesting to us. From jazz to grind, we cover it all.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Open minded. We aren't elitist metal guys, so we don't have the boundaries a lot of bands do. We're all life long musicians that have always loved and played metal. This band was just a natural progression in our creative lives. Five like minded musicians that come from different playing backgrounds to play the music we always wanted to hear.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Lyrically we are about loss, pain, and all other personal battles a man (or woman) faces in their life. Personal subjects that we've all, in some capacity, dealt with. The tragedies of love, addiction, and the inabilities to communicate with each other in ways that would ultimately lead to a happier, less complicated, life.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

For what we're doing, it just seemed fitting. How we came about the name was purely coincidental. We left rehearsals late one night and started brainstorming about names. First few naming attempts yielded everything from tech metal to Scriabin knockoffs. Hard to come up with anything wholly original these days you know? Haha. We were just throwing out some titles that were somewhat indicative of the music and landed on Oceans of Slumber. Worked out pretty well for us!

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

We've played with a wide range of bands. We played with Crowbar and Prong a few months ago and it was killer. Awesome turnout and two bands we all like quite a bit. Especially CROWBAR! Live we sound just like the record. We take playing very seriously and we shoot to not disappoint anyone who would take time out of their day to come see us. The band is very active and very metal in doing so though. Haha. Lot's of sore necks from headbanging!

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?

Absolutely. A few of us have toured pretty extensively in the past and we certainly plan to take this band as far as we can. That would most definitely mean outside of the United States.

7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label and if so what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for the band>

Yes we are. We are looking for a label that will nurture us and allow us to progress and be the band we are capable of being. We have a very strong work ethic and we write a lot. So if you've got excellent distribution and you get your bands on tours, contact us immediately.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of extreme metal?

The reception so far has been spectacular. A few members of the band, myself included, come from a very extreme metal background and have certainly taken care to see that it is well represented in our music when it's needed. I'm sure we'll have our detractors, but we don't mind them either. Can't win them all.

9. Are there any other musical projects or is this a full time line up?

All of us in Oceans of Slumber also have a purely violent death/black band called Demoniacal Genuflection. Very fast and atmospheric, but kind of original in execution. Fun stuff for us and way to blow off some steam. One of our guitarist (Anthony Contreras), our bassist (Keegan Kelly) and myself are also part of the death metal band Ingurgitate, though we are on hiatus since our last tour.

10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We will just continue to write music and proceed as planned. We already have half a record written and a full length for Demoniacal Genuflection too. We write a lot! The wonderful thing about music is that it's limitless in scope and it allows us to progress as musicians and people. This being a progressive band, I think we're all in the perfect situation at the moment.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Hell. This could be a huge list. Summarized I'd say Frank Zappa, Disincarnate, Dissection, Pantera, Holdsworth, King Crimson, Tom Waits, 40 Watt Sun, Alice In Chains, Dehumanized, etc. The list of bands that have influenced us individually could fill up pages and pages. Personally I'm big into classical music. Mainly later Romantic era Russian Composers like Rachmaninnof and Alexander Scriabin, but certainly cannot leave out Chopin and Schubert! I also listen to lots and lots of metal too, so it's not neglected in any way. Recent releases would be the new Beheaded record "Never To Dawn", reissue of the Desolate demos "Sanity Obliterated", Primordial "Redemption at the Puritans Hand", Come See My Deadperson "self titled" and Twelve Foot Ninja "Silent Machine". Countless others that I'm constantly trying to stay up with. To much shit to keep up with these days.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

I like cars and Powerlifting. Usually spend a lot of my time trying to stay or get into shape. An uphill battle most of the time! Gotta stay strong and verile in case my testicular fortitude is called into question at some point. Haha.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

I'd like to thank you for the interview and am very pleased you listened to our record! Approach everything in life with an open mind, for we are complicated animals that certainly need stimulation beyond the norm to progress. Thanks again,